Steamboat briefs: Driving course required for high school parking

Steamboat Springs High School juniors and seniors who wish to purchase an on-campus parking permit or apply for open-campus privileges at the high school during the 2012-13 school year must attend and complete the Alive at 25 Defensive Driving Course. The next class is from 1 to 5:30 p.m. July 24 at the high school. Students can register and pay the $39 class fee at www.coloradosafedriver.com or contact instructor Dennis Hensen at dhensen@sssd.k12.co.us

Rocky Mountain Elk gives grants to Routt and Moffat

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has distributed grants totaling $263,232 to 19 Colorado counties, including Routt and Moffat, according to a news release. The funds will be used to rejuvenate wildlife habitat being invaded by noxious weeds.

“Prescribe burning, forest thinning and weed treatment projects will help enhance some 9,000 acres of elk habitat across Colorado,” foundation President and CEO David Allen was quoted as saying. “We’re also investing in different research projects to improve elk population estimates, management strategies and potential impacts from oil and gas development.”

In Moffat County, the funds will be used to assist with funding for Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife research to measure potential impacts of oil and gas development on the Williams Fork elk herd, according to the release.

In Routt County, the funds will be used to treat residual and new weed infestations on 350 acres in the Flat Tops Wilderness Area and Pagoda Roadless Area of Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest, according to the release.

The Elk Foundation’s mission is to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife and their habitat. Since 1985, the organization and its partners have completed 560 conservation and hunting heritage outreach projects in Colorado with a combined value of more than $128.9 million, according to the release.

Steamboat seeks public input on lodging tax funds

The city of Steamboat Springs is seeking ideas from the public about how to spend the estimated $600,000 annual lodging tax revenue that is being used to fund Haymaker Golf Course through the end of the year. Ideas should be no more than two pages, explain the project and perceived benefits and include a brief explanation of the project’s ability to meet the following parameters:

US Highway 40 is being resurfaced near Hayden

The Colorado Department of Transportation is working on a $3.7 million highway resurfacing project on U.S. Highway 40 near Hayden between mile markers 108 and 114. The project slightly overlaps the existing $1 million Mount Harris Canyon rockfall mitigation project. Work on both projects is expected to last until August.

Crews will be working from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, and there will be some work from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays. Drivers should expect wait times of as much as 20 minutes during construction hours and are asked to plan for delays.

South Routt residents also should expect 15-minute delays between mile markers 55 and 58 near the entrance to Oak Creek Canyon, where there will be one-lane alternating traffic from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. CDOT crews are working on a project that began in summer 2011 to straighten out curves, flatten hills, widen shoulders and remove some terrain features that obstruct drivers’ vision. The $12.1 million project is scheduled for completion in November.

Steamboat chamber group traveling to Ireland in fall

Travel to Ireland in the fall to learn more about the history and see the sights with the Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association. The Irish Splendor package includes roundtrip airfare from DIA to Dublin, Ireland, with departure Nov. 5 and a return to Denver on Nov. 12. Trip includes eight days, nine meals, transportation and lodging accommodations. The cost, based on double occupancy, is $2,599. For more information or to register, contact Lana O’Neil at 970-875-7004 or lana@steamboatchamber.com.